Senate vote paves way for visa free travel to US for Poles
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
22.05.2013 10:00
A vote by the US Senate Judiciary Committee on a new immigration bill clears another hurdle for Poles finally being included in the Visa Waiver Programme.
photo - wikicommons
A debate at a session of the full Senate on the issue will take place in June.
Members of the Democratic-controlled committee voted 13-5 in favour of the bill which would constitute the first major overhaul of United States' immigration policy since 1986, and would create a 13-year path to citizenship for most of the country's 11 million illegal immigrants.
The bill would also include the so-called “JOLT” Act – Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel – making it easier for Poles and other nationals excluded from the visa waiver programme to travel to the US.
“This legislation will make Poland eligible for the Visa Waiver Program and expedite travel arrangements for Polish citizens to visit America, which is good for our economy, will create jobs and will nurture the strength and vibrancy of our Polish American communities across the United States,” Senator Charles E. Schumer, one of the initiators of the move said in April. (pg)